Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA)Issued and enforced by the Federal Communications Commission, 2001
Purpose
CIPA addresses concerns over access to offensive content over the Internet on school and library computers. The requirements are applied to any school or library that receives funding for Internet access or internal connections through the E-Rate program.
Requirements
Schools must have and enforce an Internet safety policy = acceptable use policy
Schools must have protection measures in place = filters to block pornographic images and obscenities
Schools must monitor all online activity
School must address the security and safety of minors with regard to email, chat rooms, and other e-communications; hacking; and privacy
School must education faculty, staff, and students on Internet safety and conduct
School libraries must state their policy on monitoring student access to the Internet
Schools can distinguish between adults and minors to allow increased access to the Internet for adults for research purposes
Currently, the FCC is investingating technologies that would allow for the advanced blocking of objectionable material on wireless devices such as smartphones and tablets. The FCC recognizes that these devices give children access to all kinds of material outside the supervision of an adult. The goal is to continue to provide ways for parents to control what their children access and view.
At the moment the FCC recommends parents be familiar with the type of content that can be downloaded to these devices:
images, such as background "wallpaper" for the phone screen;
games, including some games that are also available for gaming systmes such as Playstation or Xbox;
music or songs, including ring tones, ring back tones, and downloads of full songs;
videos, including certain television shows, movies, and music videos, as well as video programming specillay made for, and only available on, wireless phones (like iPhone or Android apps);
text, photo, and video messages. Most wireless devices can also be used to exchange messages, including instant and text messages, as well as photos and videos.
browsing the Internet on more sophisticated smartphones
What can you do? Know the capabilities of your children's wireless devices.
Purpose
CIPA addresses concerns over access to offensive content over the Internet on school and library computers. The requirements are applied to any school or library that receives funding for Internet access or internal connections through the E-Rate program.Requirements
Recent Updates
Currently, the FCC is investingating technologies that would allow for the advanced blocking of objectionable material on wireless devices such as smartphones and tablets. The FCC recognizes that these devices give children access to all kinds of material outside the supervision of an adult. The goal is to continue to provide ways for parents to control what their children access and view.At the moment the FCC recommends parents be familiar with the type of content that can be downloaded to these devices:
What can you do? Know the capabilities of your children's wireless devices.